At first glance, a 3-2 record may not seem too troubling for the Philadelphia Eagles, especially considering the many injuries they’ve had to endure early in the season. In the context of a competitive NFL, this start places them in a reasonably good position compared to other teams struggling with similar issues. However, despite this promising record, there are areas of concern that the Eagles need to address if they aim to position themselves as serious contenders in the NFC for a Super Bowl run.
Injuries have played a significant role in shaping the Eagles’ current situation. They lost both starting tight end Dallas Goedert and left tackle Jordan Mailata, which weakens their offense significantly. Goedert’s absence, in particular, leaves the Eagles in a vulnerable position, as their tight end depth wasn’t particularly strong to begin with. The Eagles released C.J. Uzomah after signing him in free agency, and now rely on Grant Calcaterra, Jack Stoll, E.J. Jenkins, and Albert Okwuegbunam. While the Eagles believe in Calcaterra’s potential, he remains relatively unproven as a starter. Last season, when Goedert missed time, the tight end position was almost non-existent in the passing game. This is a situation that the Eagles will need to address, as tight end production will be crucial in their offensive scheme while Goedert recovers.
Beyond the tight end position, the Eagles have other areas that need reinforcement. Their pass rush has been inconsistent, and while their defense showed flashes of potential in a recent victory over the Browns, they still rank 24th in the NFL in sacks and 23rd in sack rate. Although their pressure rate is respectable (11th in the NFL), the Eagles aren’t consistently getting to opposing quarterbacks. Adding another pass rusher could help generate turnovers—an area in which they’re struggling as well, tied for last in the league with just two takeaways. Players like Emmanuel Ogbah, Josh Uche, or Za’Darius Smith could provide a boost to the Eagles’ defensive front, bringing more disruption to the line of scrimmage.
The middle linebacker position is another spot where Philadelphia may look to add depth. Nakobe Dean’s struggles with missed tackles and positioning have raised concerns about his readiness to lead the defense. The Eagles have been exploring internal options like Ben VanSumeren and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., but both are inexperienced and may not be enough to fill the gap left by Dean’s underperformance. Adding a veteran linebacker, even as a depth option, would be a prudent move to stabilize the defense, especially with the long season ahead.
With the trade deadline approaching on November 5, the Eagles have an opportunity to strengthen these areas. They don’t necessarily need to acquire star-caliber players, but depth additions at key positions could make a significant difference down the stretch. Whether it’s bolstering the tight end room, adding a pass rusher, or improving the linebacker corps, these moves could turn Philadelphia from a team with potential into a legitimate contender. Addressing these issues is especially important in the highly competitive NFC, where teams like the 49ers, Lions, and Cowboys are proving to be formidable opponents.
Ultimately, while the Eagles’ record is respectable, their performance has been inconsistent, and injuries have exposed weaknesses in their roster. Improving depth and adding playmakers at crucial positions will help the team manage these challenges and keep them on track for a strong postseason push.
